CLINICAL CASES   

Minerva Pneumologica 2011 March;50(1):63-5

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Cyanosis from methemoglobinemia

Ferrario M., Della Morte M., Boyer A., Beretta E., Delle Cave M.

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, AOVV Sondalo Hospital, Sondrio, Italy

Polish shoes based on aniline was the cause of cyanosis in this patient. Dosage of methemoglobin was administered and specific therapy was initiated with methylene blue after the advice of the Poison Control Center. Because of the lack of significant improvements (only cyanosis without dyspnea or other symptoms of respiratory failure) we have considered the possibility of congenital forms. We sent, therefore, samples for the determination of methemoglobin-reductase and sulphemoglobina.